Ukraine Finalizing Deals For Gripen Acquisition And Donation

 

I got this from Aviation Weekly, I thought it was interesting for those keeping track of the assorted weapon systems that are being utilized by the Ukrainians right now.

Credit: Tony Osborne/Aviation Week

Ukraine will receive 16 donated Saab Gripen fighters from Sweden once it finalizes the first stage of a deal to acquire new-build Gripen Es.

Visiting Sweden on May 28, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the donated Gripen C/Ds could be fighting in Ukrainian skies by the beginning of 2027.

Crucially, these aircraft would be armed with MBDA Meteor ramjet-powered beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, finally giving the Ukrainian Air Force a counter to the long-range air-to-air missiles used by the Russian Air Force. Kyiv would also gain the ability to target Russian strike aircraft carrying standoff weapons such as glide bombs.

“These jets, with very specific weapons, especially Meteors, which can destroy [air] targets [at ranges of] 200 km-plus…we think we will push back these Russian jets, and they will not be able to use their aerial glide bombs,” Zelenskyy told journalists.

The $2.3 billion package of ex-Swedish Air Force aircraft would also include other long-range weapons, ammunition, electronic warfare capabilities and what the Swedish government described as “support to innovation,” enabling the aircraft to be adapted to Ukrainian operational requirements.

Receipt of the donated Gripens as bilateral assistance depends on export approvals and finalization of an agreement to acquire an initial batch of 20 Gripen E/Fs, which Ukraine plans to fund using €2.5 billion from a broader €90 billion European Union loan package.

European leaders have already approved reforms and financial terms for the Ukraine Support Loan. The first funds will potentially reach Kyiv next month. Around two-thirds of the package is expected to support Ukrainian defense requirements.

The European Council approved the loan in April after Hungary and Slovakia lifted objections to the arrangement.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said there had initially been skepticism about Ukraine’s plans to acquire the fighters last year, but that the effort was now moving ahead.

Negotiations and implementation details were underway, he said, adding that “our ambition is to quickly conclude an agreement which will enable deliveries before 2030.”

“This is a historic decision for Sweden, but it also significantly strengthens Ukraine’s air defense,” Kristersson added.

“Building a Ukrainian fleet of Swedish Gripens will help us guarantee the security of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” Zelenskyy said.

The milestone follows the signing of a declaration of intent last October covering the potential acquisition of as many as 150 Gripen E/F fighters over the next 10-15 years.

Zelenskyy said he was committed to acquiring all 150 aircraft, a move that would make Ukraine the largest customer for the fighter. Orders and deliveries would occur in batches.

Ukrainian pilots have already been training in Sweden on the Gripen since allied countries agreed to begin donating Western combat aircraft to Ukraine. Earlier plans to transfer Gripen C/Ds were deliberately delayed to avoid disrupting deliveries of the Lockheed Martin F-16s now entering Ukrainian service. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said that training effort would expand this fall.

Kristersson also said Sweden would continue contributing to pilot training for the Ukrainian Gripen fleet. He added that deliveries of Gripen Es to the Swedish Air Force would need to accelerate to replace the Gripen C/Ds being transferred to Ukraine.

In a statement, Saab said discussions regarding Sweden’s replacement of the donated aircraft capability would begin shortly. No contracts or orders have yet been signed, the company added.

Ukraine is currently fighting Russian forces using Soviet-era Sukhoi Su-24s, Su-25s, Su-27s and Mikoyan MiG-29s, while continuing to receive F-16s from Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000s have also been supplied by France.

Analysts have long argued that the Gripen is particularly well suited to Ukraine’s operational environment because of its ability to operate from austere locations and employ weapons such as Meteor. Pilots have also suggested the Gripen is more forgiving to operate and maintain than the F-16s already delivered.

“Gripen was built for a country that may have to fight outnumbered, under pressure and from dispersed bases, that makes it highly relevant for Ukraine,” Jonson said.

Sweden has been among the largest contributors of military aid to Ukraine, supplying weapons, artillery and airborne early warning aircraft intended to enhance the effectiveness of the fighter fleets provided by allied nations.

Kyiv also signed a similar declaration of intent with France in November covering the potential acquisition of 100 Rafales. No details have yet emerged regarding progress in those negotiations or whether part of the Ukraine Support Loan could also be allocated toward a Rafale purchase.